Shelly Gupta has a passion for helping people. Having grown up with immigrant physician parents in a predominantly white West Texas town, she noticed early on how race affects every aspect of life, from childhood education to health care. Shelly is a graduate of the Leadership Austin Emerge program, and is interested in understanding the social issues in Central Texas and how she can play a role in making systems more equitable. Shelly is a vice president at Hahn Public, where she advises public-serving clients on public relations and communication strategy.
Omar is an Oil and Natural Gas Engineer since 2012. He excelled in this industry with energy, innovation, and problem solving skills. However, his desire to make the world a better place was unmet. His desire was then fueled when his family was confronted with a difficult and exponentially expensive healthcare system. Omar is determined to help the minority community with the skills he acquired in his field. He is excited to join a class with like-minded people and wanting to improve the quality of life for people. Si se puede! Let’s go!
Alex García is a nurse, professor, and researcher who is passionate about engaging with community members. Her nursing practice, teaching, and research has taught her that health is most impacted by social determinants, such as affordable, quality, and stable housing; access to healthy and affordable foods; employment and economic opportunity; and health care access, including medications. Systematic racist policies underlie all of these social determinants. She is excited to partner with community members and community-based organizations, influence policy, and implement lasting solutions.
Sharelle Freeman is the Senior Human Resources Business Partner & Manager for Central Health. She closely with staff and leaders of the Central Health Enterprise who ensure proper care and resources to people of vulnerable populations. Sharelle is incredibly passionate about creating a better tomorrow for future generations starting today, which is why she is excited about this opportunity.
Karen is a Medicare and Medicaid specialist who is passionate about helping those with disabilities and the elderly navigate the complexities of health insurance. She focuses her outreach and education on individuals who are marginalized due to linguistic, societal, and financial challenges. She is eager to develop partnerships with local advocates for a greater understanding of public health challenges and services across Austin and Central Texas to better support those in need.
Gwendolyn Cubit is a 2014 Graduate of the UT-Austin School of Social Work and currently is a LMSW with Changing How I Live Life (CHILL), an outpatient substance abuse treatment provider in the Austin community. I am excited to become a Community Health Champion because as someone who was born and raised in Austin, she has experienced health disparities first hand. Her passions and expertise are working with Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
Arlene is currently a program coordinator for the Austin Healthy Adolescent program at Austin Public Health. Her areas of expertise are adolescent health, reproductive health, and health disparities. She is looking forward to cultivating relationships with other members of her community through this program.
Katherine works for CommUnityCare Health Centers as the Human Resources Onboarding and Program Coordinator. She has lived in Austin for six years and is excited to learn more about and contribute to the city’s public health initiatives.
Tina Byram is passionate about helping people and making a difference in the Del Valle community. She is excited about the Community Health Champions Program because she believes knowledge is power. And by learning more about the inner workings of Central Health, it will make her a better advocate for her community.
David is a second-year Master of Science in Social Work student at The University of Texas at Austin, with special interests in clinical social work applied in integrated behavioral health settings and in social determinants of health. Prior to going to graduate school, he worked at People’s Community Clinic for over 7 years as a coordinator for the GOALS Program, assisting providers as they assessed, treated and advocated for kids with developmental and learning disabilities. At People’s, David grew to love collaborating across disciplines to empower communities and work to enhance their health and well-being. In his spare time, he enjoys playing piano, painting, reading and spending time outdoors.